CLIMBING FOR BOB/LETTERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/aug 2014 :: RMTnews 26 O n October 4 RMT staff members will climb Scafell Pike in the Lake District in memory of Bob Crow to raise money for The British Heart Foundation. Bob’s daughter Tanya will join Bob’s partner Nicola Hoarau, Yvonne Sawford, Jackie Moritz, Maria Santamera, Terry Hurlock, Gabriel Barton, Ken Usher, Dawn Hannon, John Dougherty and Derek Kotz for the climb. Many of the group climbed Snowden in North Wales at the same time last year with Bob Crow in order to raise funds for a medical procedure for the then RMT Bakerloo Line branch Secretary Brian Munro. This year Bob had planned to climb Scafell Pike in the Lake District to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. Despite Bob’s untimely death, the group will fulfil his ambition with his daughter Tanya taking his place. Yvonne Sawford asked members to dig deep “to make our blisters and pain worthwhile. “We want to exceed all targets in raising much needed cash to help the fight against this disease,” she said. Donations can be made via www.lastinghope.bhf.org.uk/bobcrow or by contacting Yvonne Sawford y.sawford@rmt.org.uk or Nicola Hoarau n.hoarau@rmt.org.uk at Head Office. R MT member Roy Davies receives his 40-year membership medal from East Midlands Bus branch secretary Mick Percival. Dear editor, RMT members may like to know that Millwall football club pulled out all the stops to get the plaques in memory of Bob Crow ready for the last game of the season. There is a remembrance wall on each level on each of the stands and these are right by where our (me, Bob and Alex Reid) seats are. Bob’s partner Nicky came to the last game and used Bob’s season ticket for the last time, Terry Hurlock and his boys, Alex and me were with Nicky and it was very emotional. Bob would have loved it. A sunny day and we stayed up – he may even have lasted the full 90 minutes and not rushed off with two minutes to go but, knowing Bob, I doubt it – always on to the next thing before the last was quite finished! What an amazing tribute from you all, Bob would be so touched. Yours, Kevin J Carey RMT Head of Industrial Relations Dear editor, Your editorial of June RMT News rightly mentioned the 'Not Guilty' verdict in the case brought against Mark Harding. However the photo of Mark Harding on page 5, amidst a crowd of victory salutes, was devoid of one particular individual, Steve Hedley, the assistant general secretary and candidate for the vacant general secretary position. He was the only senior representative from the union who waited with members while a verdict was reached and who held Mark aloft outside the court. The outcome could have been very different for Mark, who was advised that he could face a six month custodial sentence, so where was our acting general secretary? Despite being present, neither Steve Hedley's picture, nor his name, were featured in the magazine despite multiple photos and recordings taken. A golden photo opportunity to show 'Unity and Strength' top-down was, for some reason, omitted. In the interest of justice and fairness, I believe that there is a clear conflict of interest if Mick Cash is general editor, not to mention writing editorials for RMT News, while seeking election for the general secretary position. It is obvious this increases his profile and status, giving an unfair advantage over other candidates. There can be no level playing field in this current situation. It is in all members and candidates interest that you vacate the position of general editor and do not write the editorial page for RMT News during the election. Yours concerned and sadly disillusioned Richard Dunne (editor’s note) The picture used on page 5 was chosen by Mark Harding MIDLANDS AWARD CLIMBING FOR BOB ELECTIONS MILLWALL REMEMBERS BOB B ob Crow’s son has set up a British Heart Foundation fund called Anthony's London to Brighton bike ride. “I am taking part in the London to Brighton bike ride in the hope that I can raise some money to help the British heart foundation raise awareness and fund research. “I have chosen to support the British heart foundation because of the recent passing of Bob Crow who was an extraordinary father and role model to me,” he said. Go to the British Heart Foundation website for more details. CYCLING FOR BOB